GOING DEEPER

Richard Foster, in his best selling book Celebration of Discipline begins by noting, “The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” This is so very true in a culture where things are “superficial” and “artificial”. Unfortunately this is the picture of the Church today in our country; Christianity is becoming shallower “since the beginning of the “Contemporary Church movement” a couple of decades ago. The so called seeker friendly churches preach a gospel which does not look like the gospel any more. They talk about wealth and health while avoiding suffering and persecution. They highlight comfort at the expense of the cross. They emphasize grace and love but never talk about sin and its devastating effects. They promise heaven but never take a peek into hell.

Is this the kind of Church Christ envisioned when he laid its foundations by his blood?

Last week we looked at a few traits of immature Christians or shallow Christians. We also learned that God’s goal for us is that we all reach, “unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) In other words God wants us to pass from immaturity to maturity; he wants us to grow from our spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity; from a shallow walk with Christ to a deeper walk with Christ.

If spiritually maturity is the goal then why are our churches filled with spiritual infants? Why are we not seeing spiritual maturity? As I was praying early this year that God was telling me that he wants me and our Church to go deeper with Him and walk towards spiritual maturity in 2013. I know this would be a hard journey; it can become uncomfortable along the way but if we persevere the rewards are far reaching. We become emotionally and spiritually healthy and matured individuals and the Church as a whole.

I would like to begin with addressing a few misconceptions or myths surrounding spiritual maturity first and then give us a few pointers that would guide us in our journey.

MYTHS SOURROUNDING SPIRITUAL MATURITY:

1. Knowledge makes us spiritually mature.

Since the age of the enlightenment movement which advanced knowledge through the scientific method, we have been made to believe that knowledge makes people mature.  How about going to an Ivy League college does it make some one mature? In 2010 an Ivy League student was sentenced to life for killing his wife who was also an Ivy League student.[1]  

How about attending more conferences and listening to the best of the best teaching does that make some one mature? Not necessarily so, though all these things are helpful and can aid you towards maturity but they in themselves can’t make you spiritually mature. Then what makes some one mature? I believe it boils down to a surrendered life were one identifies with Christ in his death and resurrection. The Apostle Paul’s life exemplifies this surrendered life. Listen to his determination, I Cor 2:2, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” That is what makes someone spiritually mature. A spiritually matured man is no longer concerned about his rights and opinions but makes knowing Christ is his chief goal in life.

2. Attending Church makes you spiritually mature.

As much as going to a McDonald doesn’t make you a hamburger that much going to a church doesn’t make you spiritually mature. It doesn’t mean that we don’t go to church but some how we believe a notion that just by attending church regularly; giving tithes and offerings; attending a small group bible study; women’s meetings, men’s group can make us spiritually mature. For exampleAnnanias and Sapphira were part of the early church they must have attended Peter’s Bibles study regularly yet they acted immaturely by lying to the Holy Spirit.

How about Simon the sorcerer who got saved through Philips ministry; was baptized and even moved very close with Philip yet he immaturely thought that he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money. You can attend church all you want and be involved in church activities that doesn’t necessarily make you spiritually mature. That brings me to the third myth.

3. Being busy for God makes you spiritually mature:

Almost every one is busy. Whether a teenager pushing books under a heavy course load or a soccer mom driving kids to sports while managing a demanding job or a stay at home mom with small children, a corporate executive, a cab driver, teacher, a pastor, a self employed, rich or poor, Christian or not, we are over scheduled, preoccupied, fatigued and at the verge of being burnout. I wonder why such a mad rush. Peter Scazzero the Pastor of one of the most thriving Churches in New York in his book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality explains what has contributed to the busyness among the Evangelical Christians, “Activism is the key explanation for how evangelicals came to dominate the English- Speaking world from 1850-1900. Working hard for God, “in season and out of season,” was expected for church members.”

Somehow we have believed a notion that the more I publicly do for God the more spiritual I become. So we get ourselves busy in Church at the expense of spending time with our spouses and children at home. We may end up busy but barren without finding personal time in His presence in prayer and quite reflection. So far we talked about various myths surrounding spiritual maturity. Let me share with you three Biblical principals for Spiritual Maturity.

I Cultivating a life of prayer:

You ask any spiritual saints what was key to their success in life and ministry they would say it was prayer. Prayer is like oxygen without it we will spiritually die. I can not over emphasize the need and importance of pray for anyone who wants to grow spiritually.

Psalm 145: 18, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” This scripture affirms that God is near when we pray; he hears our cry for salvation and he fulfills the desires of those who fear him. Cultivating a life of prayer changes your perspective on life. Whatever happens to you first you will go before the Lord in prayer. You will talk to God first about your problems before you share them with others.

My prayer for each of us is that we humble ourselves, turn away from our wicked ways, pray and seek God’s face with all sincerity then we will receive forgiveness, healing and become mature. If one thing I wish for our Church more than any thing else it would be that we become a people who would know how to call on our God. No matter what you are going through today I encourage you to start praying to God and you will notice a change in your life.

2. Cultivating a life of obedience:

We know that through man’s disobedience we all inherited God’s wrath and punishment; but we also know that through one man’s obedience we all can receive forgiveness of sins and inherit eternal life. Salvation is a free gift from God for which you don’t have to do anything except receive it by faith but everything comes after that largely depends on obedience. The other day I received an e-mail about a conference saying that “The conference will be a great benefit to your staff, board members, ministry directors, and key influencers in your church.” My natural response to that was Yeah right! Here comes another promotional e-mail.

Don’t get me wrong! I am not against attending conferences there is place for it, but I believe the need of the hour for our church is not another conference but “obedience” When we think of obedience unfortunately we associate this with weakness or letting ourselves down before some body.

But actually it is a sign of a true disciple of Christ. It is the sign of a spiritually matured person.The truth is that few of us have learned obedience growing up, partial obedience and respect at best I guess.  By nature we all were born sinners as a result we are bent more to disobedience than to obedience both to our parents and as adults towards God and authority figures.  When we were saved and born again into God’s family. God has become our father, we are His children.  As we get to know Him better we are thrilled to discover that God is the perfect parent and that He loves us without limit. Wow!  What is your response to the amazing love of God for you?  We want to respond by saying I love you God and in turn God says if you love me obey my commandments.

We have learned so much over the years what are we doing with what we have received? It is about time we start putting those teachings into practice before we look for more. How are we practicing the principles of forgiveness; esteeming one another; “not gossiping” humility; loving God and loving his people; generosity; grace; and servanthood?

3. Embracing Suffering.

The road to Spiritual maturity is not filled with roses; there will be thorns underneath the roses. It is a path of suffering; heartache and struggles. When you go through suffering either you can resent it and get mad at God; yourself and every one else or you can embrace it and learn from it and that will lead you to spiritual maturity. When it comes to embracing suffering Jesus is our model; “Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him.” Hebrew 5:8 (The Message)

If Jesus, who is altogether above us in every way, had to learn obedience through suffering on the earth, it is no wonder we who are sinful human beings are chastened continually. When we see suffering coming on our way let’s remember our Father in Heaven is disciplining us because he loves us. He is teaching us obedience to Himself through all that we suffer.

In conclusion! As with everything else in life “if we don’t aim high we won’t reach high.”  As Paul would say in Hebrews in 6:1-2, “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity.” So let’s make “Spiritual Maturity” a goal for 2013 I know this is a life long process it can’t be done over night however we want to take some proactive and intentional steps which will move us closer every day towards spiritual maturity. My prayer is that all of us would grow up and go deeper with Christ so that our Church will become more emotionally healthy and spiritually matured. Next week we will learn more about “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.” Until then let’s put into practice what we have learned today. Amen

                                                                                            

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[1] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/                                                                  

GROWING UP: Ephesians 4:11-16

Early this year I was asking the Lord in prayer for his guidance for me and for the Church in 2013; I felt the Lord speaking to me one word; “Maturity” as I read Ephesians 4:11-16. I shared this in our Wednesday prayer meeting since then our prayer has been that we all both individually and collectively would grow up and become mature in all aspects.

Let me illustrate; as a parent if you want your young children to grow up physically strong and healthy, what would you feed them on a daily basis? Would you feed them junk food; soda and energy drinks? No! They may look and taste good but in the long run are harmful to their over all growth. On the other hand giving them a well balanced diet of vegetables, fruit, milk and meat makes them grow strong and healthy and become matured.

Similarly; if you want to grow up spiritually and become mature in your faith you can not simply hear sermons prepared for TV and You Tube audience or keep attending specialized conferences. No doubt that they are exciting; encouraging and challenging. They may give you a needed boost for some time like the “Five Hour Energy drink” does; but sooner than later that excitement wanes and you look for the next exciting thing.

On the contrary if you learn to feed yourselves on a balanced diet of the whole truth of God’s word, apply and act according to it you will grow up in all aspects of life. You will have a well balanced; fulfilling and productive life. As your pastor I am also in one way your spiritual father. Therefore I have a moral obligation to this church. Let me make one thing very clear I am committed to bring you nothing but the whole truth of God’s word. I am not interested in “quick fixes neither do I tolerate extreme theology. I try my best to give you a well balanced spiritual diet but it is up to you to feed on it.

Let’s turn to Eph 4:11-16 which talks about Growing Up or becoming matured. How do we define maturity? The dictionary definition of maturity is:  “The state of being mature; full development; perfected condition.” In Greek the word for maturity is “teleios” it occurs 19 times in the NT which means an adult, full grown, of full age as opposite to children. Paul was presenting here the image of fully competed growth as contrast to infancy and childhood.

As Christians our goal is not perfection but maturity, God’s perfection is absolute; man’s is relative; we can never attain 100% perfection of God. Therefore our aim should be godliness so that our lives clearly reflect the nature and character of God. How do we differentiate immaturity from maturity?

IMMATURITY Vs MATURITY:

The Apostle Paul gives us a few pointers to help us identify immaturity and work towards maturity. Ephesians 4:14-15, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead speaking the truth in love; we will in all things grow up into him who is the head; that is Christ.”

In Vs 14 we read about infants; false teachers and cunning and crafty men.

Paul exhorts the Ephesians no longer to be infants; but to grow up. Could it be that at the time of writing this epistle some of the Ephesian believers must have been acting like kids and adolescents instead of behaving like grown up adults?  What are children like?  Those of us who have raised children know that children are so cute; we love and adore them but they are also highly manipulative and at times messy. It is our job as parents to care for them and train them in the way they should go.

If we train them well they grow up to be matured adults; but if we pamper them and fail to discipline them when necessary; they may grow up physically yet remain like infants and immature. Even in the Church we find spiritual infants, Pete Scazzero in his book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” shares how to identify spiritual infants and children: “They look for others to take care of them. Have great difficulty entering into the world of others. They are driven by need for instant gratification. Use others as objects to meet their needs. Are happy as long as they get what they want, but complain, withdraw, manipulate, take revenge, and become sarcastic when they don’t get their way.”[1]

How does the bible address this spiritual infancy? 1 Cor 3:1 “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.”  I Cor 14:20, “Brothers and sisters stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants but in you thinking be adults. Peter said, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” I Peter 2:2.

Spiritual infancy is only encouraged and tolerated in two areas: “in avoiding evil” and craving more for spiritual milk (God’s word), but in every other way we are expected to grow up. II Peter 3:18 "Grow in the grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ." I Cor 13:11 “When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” The second pointer to identify immaturity is false teachers, as well as those who gullibly take in anything that comes on their way.  These days many false teachers are confusing believers with wrong and extreme theologies.  

False teachings are being flooded through TV, Radio; literature; the internet and even through the pulpit. Many Christians without discerning are being tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine. The Bible warns us about false teachers.

How do we identify them? 2 Peter 2:1-3, “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring they way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”

When it comes to listening to the faith stories of others we got to be very careful. However genuine those stories may be, what worked for them may not necessarily work for you; just like a prescription drug. Each of us are at different levels in our faith. Moreover we can not make doctrines out of our personal experiences. If you shape your theology only by watching TV preachers and You tube videos there is a potential danger that you may get it wrong. It is your responsibility to test every spirit and interpret scripture in light of other scriptures then you will get the whole truth on any subject.

The third pointer that Paul mentions to identify immaturity is the cunning, crafty and scheming. They are skilful manipulators; through their craftiness and scheming deceives the innocent and new believers. They may look overly spiritual and humble on the outside but on the inside they are like ravenous wolves. We all may have at one point or the other become victims to such people or we ourselves have been cunning and crafty. Either way that is a sure sign of immaturity. Manipulators are also very divisive. In Titus 3:10, “if people are causing divisions among you give a first and second warning. After that have nothing more to do with them.”

We have talked enough about immaturity, let’s focus on maturity. God used Paul to give us a different measure for maturity of the church. Paul says that the church is mature when it functions like one body, where Jesus Christ is the Head. 

When our kids were a few months old, we could see their eyes wanting to reach for a toy, but their hands and arms were not yet able to cooperate. As they grew up, their body parts began to do what their “head" wanted them to do. Likewise, when we mature or grow up as a church, we individually obey what our "head," Jesus Christ, wants us to do. The Church is not obedient to a set of rules. We are obedient to the Person of Jesus Christ through a trusting relationship and to the truths He has spoken. And our obedience is not just in our head, but in the way we live and serve one another. That is what pleases God more than just having head knowledge.

What does a matured Christian look like? Matured Christians are a joy to be around with. They don’t use manipulation and control in order to get their way instead they have learned to speak the truth in love. They will make sure that they are growing up in all aspects; personal; marital; family; work; and spiritual life. They don’t find the need to correct and put every body in place instead they will have a sober judgment of themselves and work on their own faults rather than picking the faults in others. They recognize that Christ is the head of the Church and they are merely members of his body. They learn to obey the teachings of Christ found in the Scriptures. They respect the views of other members of the body without superimposing their own. They learn to work together as a team instead of competing with one another. They are committed to the building up of the Church rather than tearing it down.

In closing let’s ask ourselves am I a mature Christian or an Immature Christian? Let’s also ask the Lord to show us areas where we have some growing up to do. My prayer is that “we all would reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, so that our work is produced by faith and our labor is prompted by love and our endurance is inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ and that is the true sign of a truly matured Church. (I Thes 1:3) Amen

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[1] Peter Scazzero, “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” page 178

WHEN LIFE SERVES YOU A LEMON? Romans 8:35-39

When people speak of going through suffering, they usually mean they are experiencing bad things. The bad news is that bad things happen to everyone. They have nothing to do with whether you are a good person or a bad person, how well you have taken charge of your life. The good news is that good things happen to everyone too! The question however we must ask is not why bad things happen to good people but how are we to respond when calamity unexpectedly strikes us?

Gerald May, a Psychiatrist who studied the dark night experience of two sixteenth century saints John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila related his own dark night in his book “The Dark Night of the Soul” he says “I was diagnosed with cancer in 1995; which I thought was a bad thing. But the experience brought me closer to God and to my loved ones than I’d ever been, and that was wonderfully good. The chemotherapy felt awful, but it is resulted in a complete cure, which I decided was good. I later found out it may have also caused the heart disease that now has me waiting for a heart transplant. At some point I gave up trying to decide what’s ultimately good or bad. I truly do not know.”[1]

You might not be going through the same experience but an equally a painful one. How are you responding to it? Are you over spiritualizing it saying it is God’s will that you should suffer? Or rebuking the devil thinking that he is out there to get you? Or trying to fix it with all your might? Or denying it completely as if nothing is happening to you? Or condemning yourself with the thoughts of “what have I done wrong”? Can you imagine what it would have been like if Christ responded wrongly when he was being crucified? Or the apostles and the early believers when they were persecuted? You and I wouldn't be here talking about suffering.

The Apostle Paul explains what should be our response when bad things happen to us in Romans 8:35-39. (Read) What was the context in which Paul said these priceless statements?  We read in Romans 5:1-5, “we have been justified through faith; we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” What incredible truths are these for a believer to remember! “We have been justified through faith” which means now God looks at us as if we have never sinned. “We have peace with God” which means once we were enemies of God but now we become his friends. We have 24 hour access to God. We stand in God’s grace not in condemnation.

Coming back to the subject of suffering; what does the Bible say about suffering? The question of suffering is one of the hardest issues to face for many people, particularly those who generally believe in a kind and loving God, and perhaps even more-so in a culture where people more and more often get what they want and live relatively safe and secure lives.  Let’s look at several scriptures to develop a healthy view on suffering, and why God might allow suffering at times and what comfort do we have when we suffer.

A.  HEALTHY VIEW ON SUFFERING?

There was a time when sickness and suffering did not exist; every thing was perfect, and harmonious, until man sinned against God. The consequences of sin were fear, shame, suffering, sorrow and death. There will come again a time where sorrow, pain and death will be completely taken away. “and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer by any mourning; or crying or pain.” Rev 21:4. What a glorious day that will be. If you are a Christian then that promise is for you. However, for this present time, we must face the undeniable fact that people do suffer. That's a fact of life. You can find sickness, sorrow, and suffering in all walks of life. It's everywhere you look.

This very moment either you yourself or you can probably think of someone very close to you who is suffering greatly, and it just doesn't seem fair. When we go through suffering or when we see someone we love suffering our human nature is to ask questions such as why does God allow it to happen? We wonder does God even care. As I searched the scriptures I found a few possible reasons why God might allow his children to suffer.

B. WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERING?  

On this side of heaven we may never fully understand the reason why people suffer.  However the Scriptures do give us some understanding about suffering. Firstly, our suffering may be for the salvation of souls: Remember the story of Lazarus the brother of Martha and Mary? What did Jesus say to his disciples when the news came to him saying that Lazarus was very sick? “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God.” John 11:4, when he raised Lazarus from the dead, we read in Vs 45, “Many therefore of the Jews, who had come to Mary and beheld what He had done, believed in Him.” God used my grand mother’s death to save me; otherwise I wouldn’t be serving Him today.

If we believed some of the faith healers today, we would believe that people suffer because of sin or lack of faith, which is simply not true. Did the Apostle Paul sin or did he lack faith that he suffered much in his life? No! Secondly, God allows suffering to teach us valuable lessons. II Cor 12:6-10, “So tremendous, however, were the revelations that God gave me that, in order to prevent my becoming absurdly conceited, I was given a physical handicap one of Satan’s angels to harass me and effectually stop any conceit. Three times I begged the Lord for it to leave me, but his reply has been, “My grace is enough for you: for where there is weakness, my power is shown the more completely… Therefore, I can even enjoy weaknesses, suffering, privations, persecutions and difficulties for Christ’s sake.” JB Philips New Testament

Thirdly, God uses suffering to make us stronger.  Paul tells us in II Timothy 2:3 “Suffer hardship with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” It is as if Paul was saying to Timothy, welcome to the club of suffering!  Suffering is a type of Baptism of fire for any one who wants to join the army of Christ. You know, many times a drill sergeant will put a soldier through some things just to make him tough, just to see how much he's willing to take--how dedicated he is. There may not seem to be any logical reason for the trouble that we often face, but God always has a reason. Sometimes He's just trying to make us tougher.

Fourthly, God uses suffering to teach us patience or long suffering  According to Galatians 5:22, a Spirit-filled Christian is supposed to be LONG SUFFERING  Are you long suffering  If you want to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit then don’t despise suffering instead rejoice because only through suffering we learn to be patient.  In Romans 5: 3-5, “We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.” The Message. 

You may be screaming in your heart saying this is all great for you pastor to say; you don’t understand what I am going through. What respite is there; if there is any in suffering? Yes there is comfort in suffering.

C. WHAT IS OUR COMFORT IN SUFFERING?

Let’s face it! No suffering is pleasant and enjoyable. It is rather tough; painful and could even lead to a point of vexation and to death. As we learned so far that suffering is universal; has no demographics and age limit and it is going to be there until Christ returns it would only help us if we learn to embrace it joyfully instead of complaining and even getting angry at God.

If you think you are the only one is suffering you are mistaken; Peter says “believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (I Pet 5:9) what should be our response to suffering? James says like Job we must “persevere” (James 5:11) Hebrew 12:6-7, tells us that we must endure hardship as discipline and God is treating us as his children and out of his love for us He disciplines us. What is our comfort in our suffering?

The rewards once we go through suffering outweigh the pain and the process of it. James says “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” If we want to be mature and lack no good thing in life then we must let perseverance complete its work; let’s not short cut the process of suffering; let’s not throw in the towel too quickly and let’s not quit so soon. But what comfort do we have during suffering? Who actually keep us sane in the midst of it and help us to go through it without quitting?

 My friend I don’t know what suffering you may be going through at this very moment; hang in there; know that God loves you and won’t give up on you so easily. Let the words of encourage you so that nothing can separate you from the love God when you go through suffering. Let me read those words in closing. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What assuring words are these? There is nothing in this world can take God’s love from you. May the Lord be gracious to you and give you strength so that you too will become more than a conqueror! Amen

                                                                                                    

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[1] Gerald G.M, “The Dark Night of the Soul”, page 2